The Texas A&M
Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) has received
certification from the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care
Society (VECCS) recognizing the VMTH as one of the most advanced
emergency and critical care facilities in the country.

VECCS certification identifies hospitals that meet and exceed
the minimum standards and guidelines. The goal is to raise the
standard of care while also increasing public and professional
awareness in the field of veterinary emergency and critical patient
care.

"VECCS certification is becoming more and more important in the
evaluation of emergency critical care hospitals, not only as a
reflection of resources available for patient care, but also in
regards to house officer training," said Dr. Christine R. Rutter,
clinical assistant professor in the Texas A&M College of
Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM). "It is a
reflection of our staff, our continuing education standards, our
records, our emergency capabilities, and our facility."

Th VECCS certification program identifies three levels (I
through III) based on facility operating hours, equipment, and
personnel. The VMTH received a Level II facility
certification.

"The distinction as a Level II certified facility reflects the
commitment to high-quality patient care that our hospital can
provide," said Bo Connell, CVM assistant dean for hospital
operations. "It is an indication of our comprehensive capabilities,
cutting-edge technologies, and world-renowned veterinary
specialists; it ensures that the most up-to-date and advanced
treatments are available to all of our patients."

Dana Heath, assistant director of the Small Animal Hospital,
said that as the hospital works to achieve Level I certification,
they can do so knowing that they already meet or exceed the vast
majority of the VECCS requirements.

"When we go through this process, it makes us look critically at
our standards, and by doing that, it helps us raise the standard of
care at the hospital, where appropriate," she said. "I welcome
these processes because it ultimately improves all that we are
already doing well and makes us better patient advocates, which is
our goal.

"I would like to personally thank Kim Koehler, the ICU
supervisor; Jennifer Sheldon, the ER supervisor; and Melissa
Thomas, my administrative assistant, among many others who were
instrumental in this process," she said. "Everyone pitched in; it
was a huge team effort. The faculty, staff, and students step up to
make sure we are providing excellent care at every level, and even
when there are so many things going on in the clinics, they give
their time to participate in this review. It’s incredible."

The facility’s clinicians, staff, and veterinary students are
committed to providing state-of-the-art care and making VMTH a
model for excellence in the state of Texas and beyond.

The VMTH is shaping tomorrow’s veterinarians while providing an
unmatched patient and client experience.